Rack mountable beverage bottle

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a storage vessel, namely a wine bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of from about 750 milliliters to about 1,500 milliliters and including an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glassware fixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portions of the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may be advantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when the bottle is in an upright position. Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimize photochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional patent application of and claimsthe benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/238,382, filed on Sep. 9, 2002 which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/322,269 filed on Sep. 10,2001, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference. All related patent applications are to the same inventors ofrecord.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a rack mountable storagevessel namely a wine bottle with an integral pedestal base that allows abottle to be slidably rack-mounted.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The prior art related to wine bottles is extensive and dates back inantiquity to amphora type containers, clay pitchers, goatskins, etc. allhaving as primary functionalities storing and transporting of thebeverage. Modernly, wine bottles serve additional functions by addingaesthetics and ambience to a commercial establishment such as arestaurant or bar. For example, it is known in the art that Italianrestaurants frequently use empty Chianti wine bottles as candlestickholders, which are placed on customer tables. The Chianti bottles add aromantic and cultural ambience to the restaurant thus improving thedining experience of their customers. In another example, Japanesecuisine, in particular sushi has become popular developing a demand forauthentically styled sushi bars complete with bottles of rice wine knownas sake. The sake bottles are generally placed in the field of view ofpatrons seated at a sushi bar and feature Japanese labels, whichgenerally include artistic Chinese characters associated with Asiancultures.

From the restaurateur's perspective, wine sales are high profit marginitems, thus the strategic placement of attractive wine bottles plays asignificant factor in the overall profitability of his or herestablishment. By placing the wine bottles in view of the customers,demand for these products is significantly increased. However, in manysituations, space is limited for exhibiting the beverages particularlybar and grill type establishments which limit demand to those items thatare easily viewed by the establishment's patrons.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention provides a solution to the limited storage and displayspace for wines in a retail establishment by integrating a pedestal baseinto the design of a wine bottle. The pedestal base is configured suchthat the wine bottles may be placed in overhead racks normally used forsupporting glassware. In a bar type setting, the wine bottles arevisible to patrons sitting in and around the bar area thus generatingdemand for the beverage contained therein.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a method for maintainingand displaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle by orientinga pedestal base member associated with a rack mountable beverage bottlesuch that at least a portion of the pedestal base member may be slidablyreceived by a rack; and slidably disposing said pedestal base member onto said rack, such that said rack mountable beverage bottle is supportedby said rack.

In a related embodiment of the invention, the orienting comprisesrotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally invertedposition, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottleis below the pedestal base member.

In another related embodiment of the invention the orienting comprisesrotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally uprightposition, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottleis above the pedestal base member.

In yet another related embodiment of the invention, the orientingcomprises rotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generallyhorizontal position, such that the majority of the rack mountablebeverage bottle is generally in parallel to the pedestal base member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rack mountable beverage bottlecomprises a wine bottle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the rack comprises a glasswarefixture.

In a second embodiment of the invention a method for maintaining anddisplaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle comprisesorienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountablebeverage bottle such that at least a portion of the pedestal base membermay be slidably received by a rack; and slidably disposing the pedestalbase member on the rack, such that the rack mountable beverage bottle issupported by the rack in either a generally inverted or uprightposition.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a method for maintaining anddisplaying a plurality of rack mountable beverage bottles comprisesorienting a first pedestal base member associated with a first rackmountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of the pedestalbase member may be slidably received by a rack, slidably disposingrearward the first pedestal base member on the rack, such that the firstrack mountable beverage bottle is supported by the rack while leavingsufficient space on the rack for receiving additional rack mountablebeverage bottles; and repeating the process until a desired number ofrack mountable beverage bottles are supported by the rack.

In a related embodiment of the invention, the orienting is in either agenerally inverted or upright position.

In another related embodiment of the invention, the rack supporting theplurality of rack mountable beverage bottles is disposed in a locationwithin a commercial establishment generally visible to one or morepatrons of the establishment.

In another related embodiment of the invention, the location is chosento provide one of aesthetics and ambience to the commercialestablishment.

It is envisioned that other support structures may allow wine bottlesincorporating the invention to articulate from a substantiallyhorizontal position through a fully inverted position. It is furtherenvisioned that the bottles may contain beverages other than wine. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, the wine bottles areconstructed of glass and are sized to contain liquid volumes rangingfrom about three quarters of a liter to about one and one half liters.

Other volumes are also envisioned for magnum, champagne and limitededition sized bottles. Tinting of the glass in various shades to protectthe contents of the bottles from photochemical reactions is alsoenvisioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—This drawing depicts a frontal view of the invention including apedestal base member and a stem.

FIG. 2—This drawing depicts a prospective view of the invention where aplurality of wine bottles may be slidably stored in an inverted positionon a fixture.

FIG. 3—This drawing depicts a side view of the invention where aplurality of wine bottles may be slidably stored in an inverted positionon a fixture.

FIG. 4—This drawing depicts a top view of the invention where aplurality of wine bottles may be stored in an inverted position on afixture.

FIG. 5—This drawing depicts a front view of the invention where a winebottle may be stored in an inverted position on a rack.

FIG. 6—This drawing depicts a rear view of the invention where a winebottle may be stored in an inverted position on a fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of this invention is a standard sized winebottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of about 750 milliliters andincluding an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glasswarefixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portionsof the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may beadvantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when thebottle is in an upright position.

Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimizephotochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is shown in a frontal view. Thebottle 10 comprises a disjunct pedestal base member 30 and stem member40 which are integral in construction with the bottle 10. The basemember 30 is shown as a flat disk configuration having a substantiallycircular appearance. Other embodiments including a tapered or concavesurface are also envisioned. The diameter of the base memberapproximates the diameter of the bottle. The stem portion of thepedestal should be sized to ensure structural integrity. In thepreferred embodiment, the diameter of the stem member 40 is about 30 to70 percent of the diameter of the bottle and is substantiallycylindrical in configuration. The length of the stem member 40 formingthe gap between the bottom of the bottle 10 and the top of the basemember 30 is sized to provide a loose fit in both the horizontal andvertical planes when slidably installed on a supporting structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention is shown in a perspective view wherepluralities of wine bottles are supported by a typical glasswarestructure. The bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D incorporating this inventionare slidably installed and supported by the fixture 20 and associatedside support rails 20A, 20B. The underside of the base of the pedestals30A, 30B, 30C, 30D supports the weight of the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10Dand rests on top of the fixture side support rails 20A, 20B. The gapbetween the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the pedestal includes a stem40, which provides continuity between the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D andthe base of the pedestal 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D.

Referring to FIG. 3, the invention is shown in a side view where aplurality of wine bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D are slidably stored in aninverted position on a fixture 20. The bases 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D of thepedestals support the bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D that rests on thefixture support rails 20B. The stem portions of the pedestals 40A, 40B,40C, 40D provides continuity between the actual bottles 10A, 10B, 10C,10D and the bases of the pedestals 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D.

Referring to FIG. 4, the invention is shown in a top view where aplurality of wine bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D are stored in an invertedposition on the fixture 20. The bases of the pedestals 30A, 30B, 30C,30D are shown supported by the fixture's side support rails 20A, 20B.

Referring to FIG. 5, the invention is shown in a frontal view where thewine bottle 10A is stored in an inverted position on the fixture 20. Thebase 30A of the pedestal is supported longitudinally on two sides by thefixture support rails 20A, 20B. The stem 40A of the pedestal issubstantially centered between the fixture support rails 20A, 20B.

Referring to FIG. 6, the invention is shown in a rear view of theinvention where a wine bottle 10A is stored in an inverted position onthe fixture 20. As previously described above, the base 30A of thepedestal is supported longitudinally on two sides by the fixture supportrails 20A, 20B.

The stem 40A of the pedestal is substantially centered between thefixture support rails 20A, 20B. The bottle 10A is prevented from slidingof the end of the fixture 20 by the stops incorporated into the fixturesupport rails 20A, 20B.

The foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided asillustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit theinvention to precise form described. In particular, it is contemplatedthat functional implementation of the invention described herein may beimplemented equivalently in glass or plastic having varying pigmentationfor tinting and manufactured in various sizes. Other variations andembodiments are possible in light of above teachings, and it is notintended that this Detailed Description limit the scope of invention.

1. A method for maintaining and displaying at least one rack mountablebeverage bottle comprising: a. orienting a pedestal base memberassociated with a rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least aportion of said pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack;and, b. slidably disposing said pedestal base member on to said rack,such that said rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack.2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said orienting comprisesrotating said rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally invertedposition, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottleis below said pedestal base member.
 3. The method according to claim 1wherein said orienting comprises rotating said rack mountable beveragebottle to a generally upright position, such that the majority of therack mountable beverage bottle is above said pedestal base member. 4.The method according to claim 1 wherein said orienting comprisesrotating said rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally horizontalposition, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottleis generally in parallel to said pedestal base member.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said rack mountable beverage bottlecomprises a wine bottle.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein saidrack comprises a glassware fixture.
 7. A method for maintaining anddisplaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle comprising: a.orienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountablebeverage bottle such that at least a portion of said pedestal basemember may be slidably received by a rack; and, b. slidably disposingsaid pedestal base member on said rack, such that said rack mountablebeverage bottle is supported by said rack in either a generally invertedor upright position.
 8. A method for maintaining and displaying aplurality of rack mountable beverage bottles comprising: a. orienting afirst pedestal base member associated with a first rack mountablebeverage bottle such that at least a portion of said pedestal basemember may be slidably received by a rack; b. slidably disposingrearward said first pedestal base member on said rack, such that saidfirst rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack whileleaving sufficient space on said rack for receiving additional rackmountable beverage bottles; and, c. repeating claim elements 8 a and 8 buntil a desired number of rack mountable beverage bottles are supportedby said rack.
 9. The method of claim 8 herein said orienting is ineither a generally inverted or upright position.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8 wherein said rack supporting said plurality of rackmountable beverage bottles is disposed in a location within a commercialestablishment generally visible to one or more patrons of saidestablishment.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein saidlocation is chosen based in part on one of aesthetics and ambience.